Gordon Planes
Chief of T’Sou-ke Nation and Clean Energy Innovator
Gordon Planes (Hya-Quatcha) has been the elected chief of T’Sou-ke Nation on southern Vancouver Island since 2008 and has embarked on a 100-year process to build a new community vision that focuses on autonomy, food and water security, language revitalization, and economic development. He is secretary of Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council and also serves as a director on the Lands Advisory Board which oversees First Nations land management across Canada. Chief Planes was one of the core members of the Indigenous Circle of Experts for the Pathway to Canada Target 1 and is leading the development of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) that spans T’Sou-ke’s entire traditional territory. Under his leadership, T’Sou-ke Nation has emerged as one of Canada’s leaders in sustainable development, renewable energy and green infrastructure. T’Sou-ke is listed as the most solar-intensive community in Canada.